OLIVE HILL, Ky. (July 19, 2013) – The Kentucky Agricultural Development Board (KADB) and the Kentucky Agricultural Finance Corporation (KAFC) last week approved $4,292,427 in grants and loans during their monthly business meetings at Carter Caves State Resort Park.
The KADB, chaired by Gov. Steve Beshear, approved $3,060,268 in 32 agricultural diversification projects across the state.
State and regional investments included:
Center for Crop Diversification
The University of Kentucky Research Foundation was approved for $113,347 in state funds for the Center for Crop Diversification. The funds will be used to expand the center’s web-based marketing and production resources available for Kentucky farmers. Funds will be used to expand and update existing resources to include online podcasts, webinars and video training to address the high demand for crop diversification information.
The center will develop new training and information resources for organic and conventional production for production of specific crops, as well as specific topics like weed management. It will work to enhance the ability of growers to achieve economic success by updating and expanding crop budgets, decision-making tools and price reports. For more information about this project, visit www.uky.edu/ag/CDBREC or contact Dr. Robert Houtz at 859-257-1758 or [email protected].
Farmers’ Market Competitive Award (Franklin County)
Franklin County Farmers’ Market Inc. was approved for $5,200 in state funds for the Franklin County Farmers’ Market through the 2013 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program. Funds will be used to renovate and repair the existing market by improving customer and vendor access, as well as improving roof drainage.
The Franklin County Farmers’ Market has been in operation since the 1930’s. The current market accepts SNAP/EBT and debit cards. The market has a new “Friends of the Farmers’ Market” organization to better facilitate and promote community around a local food system. For more information about the farmers’ market in Franklin County, visit www.franklincountyfarmersmarket.org or contact Lee Ann Jones, market manager, at 502-320-1064 or [email protected].
Farmers’ Market Competitive Award (Hopkins County)
Hopkins County Extension Service was approved for $12,130 in state funds for Hopkins County Farmers’ Market through the 2013 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program. Funds will be used for improvements to the existing market, such as concrete flooring to increase accessibility. The project also includes signage for promotion of the market to increase customer awareness of market availability.
The improvements will ensure ease of access and enhance the consumer’s experience at the market. For more information about this project, contact Paul Andrew Rideout at 270-821-3650, 270-821-3650 or [email protected].
Farmers’ Market Competitive Award (Whitley County)
Whitley County Farmers’ Market Inc. was approved for $1,809 in state funds to develop a demonstration/marketing mobile unit for Whitley County Farmers’ Market through the 2013 Farmers’ Market Competitive Awards Program. This project will allow market members to demonstrate cooked and uncooked foods at the market and provide an opportunity for consumer education.
The project will provide an opportunity to increase market vendor income and help establish a richer, diversified local food economy. For more information about this the Whitley County Farmers’ Market, contact Adriana Lynch at 606-526-7641, 606-521-2813 or [email protected] or visit them on Facebook at www.facebook.com/wcfarmersmarket.
County investments approved included:
Student Farm Improvements
The Kentucky School for the Deaf (KSD) was approved for $10,000 in Boyle County funds for development of its student farm. Funds will be used to modify a tractor for adaptability to deaf students, as well as other agricultural practices taught through the KSD Ag-Ed/FFA. In its initial phase, the student farm will provide KSD students advanced hands-on learning in plant science and assist student in development of technical skills and knowledge of production agriculture.
The KSD FFA is the second Deaf FFA chapter in the nation. For more information about the KSD FFA and the student farm, contact Sandy Smock at 859-936-6806, 859-319-1666 or [email protected].
Environmental Stewardship
The Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program serves as a measure to facilitate the coordination of environmentally sound and cost-effective disposal of deceased livestock for Kentucky producers. One Deceased Farm Animal Removal Program was approved for Bourbon County totaling $7,500.
On-Farm Investments
TheCounty Agricultural Investment Program (CAIP) is designed to provide farmers with incentives to allow them to improve and diversify their current production practices. CAIP covers a wide variety of on-farm agricultural enterprises in its 10 investment areas, including production, marketing and value-added processing. Sixteen CAIPs were approved by the board totaling $2,422,191for the counties of Bourbon, Carter, Grant, Hopkins, Jackson, Lincoln, Mason, Monroe, Nelson, Pendleton, Perry, Powell, Scott, Simpson, Warren and Woodford.
In addition to these new approvals, an additional $415,232 was approved to supplement existing CAIPs in Bracken, Clinton, Hardin, Kenton, Lyon, Taylor and Trigg counties.
Shared-Use Equipment
The Shared-use Equipment Programis designed to benefit a high number of producers who cannot justify ownership expenses associated with certain equipment by helping them access technology necessary to improve their operations in an economical manner. Shared-use Equipment was approved by the board in the amount of $72,859 for Bracken, Monroe and Woodford counties.
The KAFC, chaired by Agriculture Commissioner James R. Comer, approved $1,232,159in agricultural loans for projects in the commonwealth.                                             Â
Agricultural Infrastructure Loan Program (AILP)
Through AILP, KAFC participates with lenders to provide financing to producers making capital expenditures for agricultural projects. Eligible projects include permanent farm structures with attached equipment that improves the profitability of farming operations. Four Agricultural Infrastructure loans were approved for a total of $108,664 and included recipients from Breckinridge, Clark and Warren counties.
Beginning Farmer Loan Program (BFLP)
BFLP is designed to assist individuals with some farming experience who desire to develop, expand or buy into a farming operation. Beginning farmers may qualify for financing to purchase livestock, equipment or agriculture facilities; to secure permanent working capital; for the purchase farm real estate; or to invest in a partnership or LLC. Beginning Farmer loans totaled $373,495 and included four recipients from Harrison, McLean (2) and Nicholas counties.
New Agriculture Enterprise Loan Program (NAEL)
NAEL is designed to provide loans for Kentucky farming operations as they enter into a new agriculture enterprise to take advantage of market opportunities created by an agribusiness expansion. Three NAEL loans were approved for $750,000 to recipients in Daviess, McLean and Ohio counties.
For more information on the programs offered by the KAFC, contact Bill McCloskey, director of financial services, at (502) 564-4627 or visit the KAFC webpage at kafc.ky.gov.
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